Miscanthus is a perennial rhizomatous grass. The genetic origin of miscanthus is East Asia, where it is found across a wide climatic range from tropical and subtropical in Southeast Asia to warm temperate in parts of the Pacific Islands. Due to this wide regional spread, there is a large genetic variability in miscanthus. In Europe it can grow as far north as Sweden to the very south of Europe. To cover the large range of climatic conditions in Europe, different genotypes are needed. Miscanthus sinensis genotypes are better adapted to more extreme climates, whereas Miscanthus x giganteus is best adapted to temperate climates. Miscanthus has become a leading candidate crop for production of lignocellulosic feedstocks due to its rapid biomass accumulation in temperate climates. At present Miscanthus is considered one of the four major promising perennial grasses for the production of biomass for energetic and material use in Europe.